Creating, Coaching, and Championing Successful Entrepreneurs
We provide all the knowledge and tools necessary to help entrepreneurs find the right business, consummate an acquisition and surround them well beyond the close of sale. We continuously champion entrepreneurs by aligning them with expert advisors who advocate for and support them throughout their entrepreneurship journey.
Removing the Hurdles to Business Ownership
We vet and match prospective buyers with sellers in manufacturing, distribution, and B2B service industries who see a business transaction as the financial means to create the freedom and flexibility to pursue joy in other facets of life.
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● Retirement is on the horizon and you want to get the most value from your sale.
● You don’t have a succession plan or a buyer.
● You don’t want to close your business.
● You’re concerned private equity will lead to employee job loss, leadership changes, or deconstruction of your hard-built company.
● You’ve tried a private sale, but the process has been exhausting or the transaction fell through.
● You want a human connection to a buyer who will build upon the legacy and vision you’ve created. -
● You’re driven and like the idea of running and growing a business without the arduous frustrations of a startup.
● Energy, curiosity, and integrity drive you.
● You have roughly 15+ years of workplace experience in one or more business functions.
● You have a successful sales track record and a willingness to enhance business operations and finance.
● You want more certainty to close.
● You think about company ownership as more than a lifestyle business.
● You know business is more than capital: You desire mentors who are eager to spend time and share advice to help you thrive.
How We Support Entrepreneurs
Mergers & Acquisitions
Negotiations
Capital
Due Diligence
Operational Expertise
Qualify Future Entrepreneurs
Capital Advising
Investing
Post-Acquisition Mentoring
Strategy
Our Proven Process Mitigates Risk and Ensures Long-Term Success
Find and Vet Uniquely Qualified Entrepreneurs
Identify the Right Business Match
Develop an Acquisition Strategy and Valuation
Examine the Financial Model Needed to Secure Capital
Submit Intent to Purchase and Negotiate Fair Terms
Build Trust Through Due Diligence
Confidently Close the Deal
Post-Acquisition Support: Advise and Mentor for Long-Term Success
What Sets Zorro Capital Apart
1. Experience in company valuation
2. Higher certainty to close
3. Strategy before handoff/the transaction
4. Continuous advisory services after the sale
5. Confidence in the banking, legal, and accounting world
Business Success Shouldn’t Be Lopsided
We stand on the promise of “buy well, do well.” Our approach to mergers and acquisitions sets up both the buyer and seller to win by providing the optimal financial value, a greater certainty to close, and a lasting legacy through ongoing mentorship.
About Michael Fox, Owner
Michael Fox is a senior business executive with more than 20 years of experience in business management in a variety of industries. Those industries and experiences include manufacturing, software development, database management, systems implementation, project management, marketing, procurement, contract negotiation, customer relationship management, supplier management, economic development, advisory and investment boards, corporate business strategy, and executive leadership.
In 2015, Michael launched a boutique investment firm, Zorro Capital LLC, that focuses on matching small to midsize manufacturing and distribution company owners with up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
His efforts focus on providing streamlined and improved methods for business owners in the Midwest to transition their businesses to a new generation of business managers. These efforts have led to various mutually beneficial business ownership transitions in the region.
Michael is a Cleveland native and enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, and their three children. He is an avid beekeeper, gardener, advocate of Northeast Ohio regional development, and an active real estate investor. He splits his time between Cleveland, Ohio, and Hilton Head, South Carolina.
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“I believe winning comes through empowering the success of others. I aim to see as many people as possible succeed in business by sharing knowledge and creating equity—things traditionally missing from this industry. If we all had access to the same amount of knowledge, we could potentially arrive at the same level of success. I’ve been fortunate to experience success by purchasing 7 businesses with 2 exits. However, I noticed that people want to buy and start a business, yet the vast majority of them fail. They need connections, yet don’t know how to get them. I want Zorro Capital to be an institution that helps people utilize their talents to the best of their ability with a knowledge of what the steps should be.”
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After his first business acquisition attempt fell through, Michael learned the costly implication of a private sale. He successfully purchased his first business, Ohio Travel Bag, at the advice of an investment banker friend and received valuable mentoring along the way. Understanding that the transaction would not have been successful without that advice sparked Michael’s desire to change the M&A model to be more than a transaction: to empower entrepreneurs to thrive through capital, knowledge, and long-term advising.
What SUCCESS Looks Like to Us
In 2017 we met Pat, the operator of Advantage Puck Technologies, a small injection molding company. Pat was running a subsidiary for a larger business, and his operation was for sale. At the time, he was in his mid-thirties, making a fair but modest salary.
Pat had very little investible capital, but as an employee, he was clearly the reason why this business was a success. He had the skills, desire, character, and ability to continue the vision and grow the company. Seeing his potential, Zorro Capital worked with Pat through diligence and partnered with him to purchase the business.
We hand-picked a group of investors to advise and invest the capital for a leveraged acquisition, developed a plan for additional financial funding, and guided him through every step of the business transaction. Pat invested a small amount of capital, along with our capital investment, and obtained over 30% common equity in Advantage Puck. We supported him after the sale with advisory services to help him thrive in his new role as owner.
Over time, Pat was able to grow Advantage Puck Technologies, and we helped him finance us out in early 2022. He now owns 100% of the company, earning almost 10 times his original salary. All parties involved in the transactions for this business succeeded financially and emotionally.
Our goal is to help people bring their vision of entrepreneurship to life and participate in that journey.